I am now posting over at http://5minorless.blogspot.com
:)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, December 10, 2010
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Bah the cup has been won and once Montreal was out my hopes went behind the Pens.
The cup finals was a nail biter with Det fighting till the last second. I was also really glad Malkin one the Conn Smythe, he deserved after an amazing season both reg AND in the playoffs this year.
I leave you with this amazing video:
The cup finals was a nail biter with Det fighting till the last second. I was also really glad Malkin one the Conn Smythe, he deserved after an amazing season both reg AND in the playoffs this year.
I leave you with this amazing video:
Monday, April 13, 2009
The west
More fearless predictions in the 2009 NHL playoffs, this time focused on the western Conference
San Jose Sharks (1) vs Anaheim (no longer mighty) Ducks (8)
The battle of California will be a fierce one, both teams will be playing with a lot of grit and both teams really don't like each other very much. Expect some pig PIM in this series.
Looking at this series though I'll start with the goalies. Nabakov is a goalie with very impressive regular season and playoff numbers. While Hiller who will likely start for ANA is a big question mark. He stole the starting job from Giguere who won the Stanley cup with ANA just a few short years ago. I have to give the edge to SJ in this case.
SJ does have a curse though they always seem to find a way to lose even though they shouldn't. My buddy Scott goes 'all in' with SJ each season and always ends up disappointed. Yet he keeps coming back to them (its battered fan syndrome!) I think in at least this series he will be a happy camper. Ana is not the same team that won the cup, while SJ has done a lot to exercise the demons of the past.
SJ in 6
Detroit Red Wings (2) vs Columbus Blue jackets (7)
Congrats to the Blue Jackets for making it into the post season for the first time in the team's history. It is long overdue. I think this first post season trip however will be a quick one. I really think in another year or so you will be a real threat but for now you are coming head to head with a playoff beast.
The only place that Columbus has an edge on Det is in net. Steve Mason who will probably win the Calder trophy (for rookie of the year) has no payoff experience but has put up some incredible numbers. While in Det Osgood has faltered all season, Conklin has been decent but I don't think he can carry Det through the post season.
As big a question mark as Det's goalies are though I think it will not haunt them in this series (that will happen in a subsequent one) and therefore I predict
Detroit in 5
Vancouver Canucks (3) vs St Loius blues (6).
My good buddy Darren is a huge fan of the Nucks despite living in Leaf nation. Together this season we got to see the nucks live against the Habs (and get beat!) but what was apparent to me was that Van was a team that didn't quit and had a lot of tools at their disposal.
While Luongo doesn't have much (any?) post season experience I think everyone can agree he is the real deal and will translate his success in the regular season to the post. It will begin here.
St louis has had a remarkable finish to the season but I fear the gas has run out. Mason has the potential to steal games but I just dont feel he can out duel Luongo. Luongo is sure to steal a few more goals than Mason.
Up front the Blues have been without Kariya for some time and the rest of their forwards have really come through and shown what they are made of. Vancouver has had a mediocre offense but with the addition of Sundin the offense seems to have woken up and Vancouver was able to steal 3rd in the west from Calgary.
all this to say I was impressed witht eh way the Blues finished the season, I hope it translates into next season cause this playoff appearence is going no further.
Van in 6
Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs Calgary Flames (5)
Teams go through ups and downs. The flames SHOULD be a force in the playoffs, they have the veteran net minder, superstar offense, and a strong defensive corps. The Hawks have 2 strong goalies 1 who has already won a cup. A questionable back end (defensively anyways) and a strong cast of forwards, they also have youth and this will help as they are confident and don't know they shouldn't go far in the playoffs. Calgary has had a rough end to the season and they will have only a short time to turn it around if they can manage to right the ship they can go far, they have all the pieces. Unfortunately they are still pointing the wrong way and even managed to lose the 3rd position to the Nucks when it was more or less locked down by them a while ago. The flames are this seasons SJ post season chokers.
Still it will not be easy for the hawks and like I said it could go either way.
Chicago in 7
San Jose Sharks (1) vs Anaheim (no longer mighty) Ducks (8)
The battle of California will be a fierce one, both teams will be playing with a lot of grit and both teams really don't like each other very much. Expect some pig PIM in this series.
Looking at this series though I'll start with the goalies. Nabakov is a goalie with very impressive regular season and playoff numbers. While Hiller who will likely start for ANA is a big question mark. He stole the starting job from Giguere who won the Stanley cup with ANA just a few short years ago. I have to give the edge to SJ in this case.
SJ does have a curse though they always seem to find a way to lose even though they shouldn't. My buddy Scott goes 'all in' with SJ each season and always ends up disappointed. Yet he keeps coming back to them (its battered fan syndrome!) I think in at least this series he will be a happy camper. Ana is not the same team that won the cup, while SJ has done a lot to exercise the demons of the past.
SJ in 6
Detroit Red Wings (2) vs Columbus Blue jackets (7)
Congrats to the Blue Jackets for making it into the post season for the first time in the team's history. It is long overdue. I think this first post season trip however will be a quick one. I really think in another year or so you will be a real threat but for now you are coming head to head with a playoff beast.
The only place that Columbus has an edge on Det is in net. Steve Mason who will probably win the Calder trophy (for rookie of the year) has no payoff experience but has put up some incredible numbers. While in Det Osgood has faltered all season, Conklin has been decent but I don't think he can carry Det through the post season.
As big a question mark as Det's goalies are though I think it will not haunt them in this series (that will happen in a subsequent one) and therefore I predict
Detroit in 5
Vancouver Canucks (3) vs St Loius blues (6).
My good buddy Darren is a huge fan of the Nucks despite living in Leaf nation. Together this season we got to see the nucks live against the Habs (and get beat!) but what was apparent to me was that Van was a team that didn't quit and had a lot of tools at their disposal.
While Luongo doesn't have much (any?) post season experience I think everyone can agree he is the real deal and will translate his success in the regular season to the post. It will begin here.
St louis has had a remarkable finish to the season but I fear the gas has run out. Mason has the potential to steal games but I just dont feel he can out duel Luongo. Luongo is sure to steal a few more goals than Mason.
Up front the Blues have been without Kariya for some time and the rest of their forwards have really come through and shown what they are made of. Vancouver has had a mediocre offense but with the addition of Sundin the offense seems to have woken up and Vancouver was able to steal 3rd in the west from Calgary.
all this to say I was impressed witht eh way the Blues finished the season, I hope it translates into next season cause this playoff appearence is going no further.
Van in 6
Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs Calgary Flames (5)
Teams go through ups and downs. The flames SHOULD be a force in the playoffs, they have the veteran net minder, superstar offense, and a strong defensive corps. The Hawks have 2 strong goalies 1 who has already won a cup. A questionable back end (defensively anyways) and a strong cast of forwards, they also have youth and this will help as they are confident and don't know they shouldn't go far in the playoffs. Calgary has had a rough end to the season and they will have only a short time to turn it around if they can manage to right the ship they can go far, they have all the pieces. Unfortunately they are still pointing the wrong way and even managed to lose the 3rd position to the Nucks when it was more or less locked down by them a while ago. The flames are this seasons SJ post season chokers.
Still it will not be easy for the hawks and like I said it could go either way.
Chicago in 7
My Annual NHL playoff predictions!
After a crazy regular season it is now time to turn our eyse to the playoffs where the second season takes center stage and where every game is played as if its your last (cause it could be!)
I will start in the East:
Boston (1) and Montreal (8)
We all know I am a die hard Montreal fan. This season has been one of few ups and many downs. In a season where many predicted Montreal would sail away with the Eastern Conference title the Habs finish the season with the 8th and final seat.
Boston on the other hand was predicted to not even make the playoffs by some. The emergence of Krejci certianly helped and Tim Thomas is again proving he is a top flight goalie (and will likely win the Vezina trophy, who would have predicted that at the start of the season!)
My heart is with Montreal but my mind doesn't know how they can pull it off. They will steal a game or 2 but Boston will prevail. If Markov and Lang can find their way back into the lineup I will change this around. But without them..
Boston in 5
Washington (2) vs Rangers (7)
This will be a great series, I love watching the Capitals its amazing what a few years can do for a team. The Rangers have become underachievers and have continued a tradition of buying talent and hoping they all gel. Unfortunately they do not form a cohesive team that will go the distance. Avery helps shake things up and I am sure he helps sell tickets in NY but he can only do so much.
Lunqvist is a super star goalie and I give him the edge over Theo, but the big guns of Washington may just revert Theo to the mess he was just a year or so ago. Therefore my prediction is...
Washington in 6
New Jersey (3) vs Carolina (6)
The focus seems to be on NJ faltering late season, pundits are sure this will carry over and Carolina will squeak by and take NJ. I take another road. New Jersey lost Brodeur this season and came out and did better than they have in years. They unleashed their offense and you had the likes of Parise and Elias scoring at a torrid pace.
Carolina has a lot of tools but you only need to look at Brind'amour to know this is not the same carolina team that won the Stanley Cup. -23 for the teams leader, heart if you will is very telling.
I think Jersey could go far as long as I am right and they put the ship in the right direction.
New jersey in 6
Philadelphia Flyers (4) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (5)
I hate the Flyers. I thought I would put that out there right now to show that yes I am biased. On the other hand Pittsburgh has a superstar in Malkin that I love to cheer for. But this is about the playoffs so..
Philadelphia 's Biron isnt bad but he doesn't have the consistency of Fleury. Fleury has come a long way since the early days in the league where he was brought in much to early and had a continuous trial by fire on the job learning experience. Fleury was a boy when he entered the league, and has emerged a man ready to carry the weight of the post season on his shoulders.
The forwards are where all the fun is though, Pits has 3 big centers in Malkin, Crosby and Staal. While Staal can be hit or miss that still gives 3 lines that Philly will have to try and contain.
All this to say I am confident that Philly cannot contain the offense of Pitts and Pitts will be able to steal a few goals that Philly would otherwise be due.
Pittsburgh in 6
I will start in the East:
Boston (1) and Montreal (8)
We all know I am a die hard Montreal fan. This season has been one of few ups and many downs. In a season where many predicted Montreal would sail away with the Eastern Conference title the Habs finish the season with the 8th and final seat.
Boston on the other hand was predicted to not even make the playoffs by some. The emergence of Krejci certianly helped and Tim Thomas is again proving he is a top flight goalie (and will likely win the Vezina trophy, who would have predicted that at the start of the season!)
My heart is with Montreal but my mind doesn't know how they can pull it off. They will steal a game or 2 but Boston will prevail. If Markov and Lang can find their way back into the lineup I will change this around. But without them..
Boston in 5
Washington (2) vs Rangers (7)
This will be a great series, I love watching the Capitals its amazing what a few years can do for a team. The Rangers have become underachievers and have continued a tradition of buying talent and hoping they all gel. Unfortunately they do not form a cohesive team that will go the distance. Avery helps shake things up and I am sure he helps sell tickets in NY but he can only do so much.
Lunqvist is a super star goalie and I give him the edge over Theo, but the big guns of Washington may just revert Theo to the mess he was just a year or so ago. Therefore my prediction is...
Washington in 6
New Jersey (3) vs Carolina (6)
The focus seems to be on NJ faltering late season, pundits are sure this will carry over and Carolina will squeak by and take NJ. I take another road. New Jersey lost Brodeur this season and came out and did better than they have in years. They unleashed their offense and you had the likes of Parise and Elias scoring at a torrid pace.
Carolina has a lot of tools but you only need to look at Brind'amour to know this is not the same carolina team that won the Stanley Cup. -23 for the teams leader, heart if you will is very telling.
I think Jersey could go far as long as I am right and they put the ship in the right direction.
New jersey in 6
Philadelphia Flyers (4) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (5)
I hate the Flyers. I thought I would put that out there right now to show that yes I am biased. On the other hand Pittsburgh has a superstar in Malkin that I love to cheer for. But this is about the playoffs so..
Philadelphia 's Biron isnt bad but he doesn't have the consistency of Fleury. Fleury has come a long way since the early days in the league where he was brought in much to early and had a continuous trial by fire on the job learning experience. Fleury was a boy when he entered the league, and has emerged a man ready to carry the weight of the post season on his shoulders.
The forwards are where all the fun is though, Pits has 3 big centers in Malkin, Crosby and Staal. While Staal can be hit or miss that still gives 3 lines that Philly will have to try and contain.
All this to say I am confident that Philly cannot contain the offense of Pitts and Pitts will be able to steal a few goals that Philly would otherwise be due.
Pittsburgh in 6
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
50th birthday
This past weekend was my Mom's 50th birthday. Melanie and I drove down to Toronto on Thursday after she finished her morning class. It was a good drive down, I got there in about 5 hours or so.
We stayed in the Oakville Monte Carlo Inn, which was clean but was a little... cheesy. Mel wanted something a little more special so I booked us a room with a jacuzzi. This turned out to be pretty much useless though as it was way too small and when it was on it was like having a jet engine in the room.
The party itself went well my grandfather had flown into town for the party and with my Aunt and Sister both living in the GTA we had most of the familly all together. AS well my mom had an old friend from her undergrad days come who I hadnt seen in over 10 years.
The following day we all got a late start and on the fly decided to go on a drive to Niagra. My mom was not very pleased with the whole situation but didnt really voice anything till we reached the first destination a small vineyard. Kerry (my Aunt) had mentioned she wanted to stop at a couple wineries on the way down and at the time there was no protests. But suffice to say my mother was not pleased and for the most part waited outside while we were perusing the selection of wines.
By the time we got back to town my mother was not in a good mood at all and this spilled over onto the next day. She was connstantly going over and over about several injustices but mostly foccused on the previous days events. I tried to play peacemaker and mentioned that she didnt say she didnt want to do that and to be fair to Kerry she did say she wanted to stop at these places before we left. It didnt relaly matter though my mother was very unhappy.
Melanie and I had planned to leave early that morning (Sun) so that we could get back to Montreal while it was still light out and Mel could still get in some studying. My mom was supposed to go with my Aunt and my Grandfather to go see my sister. Robin (my sister) called on the drive over and I beleive said that she couldnt see them as she had to work. This was the straw that broke the camels back and again my mom started ranting about the previous days events (among other things I better not get into!)
I had had enough at this point and told her as much. Which as you might imagine didnt go over all that well. At this point we were at my Aunts but my mom didnt want to see anyone anymore and got out of the car. I was fuming. I left and drove around the block and claled my Aunt to let her know my mkom would not be joining them and then drive down to where my mom was and parked and went to speak to her.
Then I found out that she still is resentful of my leaving home (15 years ago!) and that I dont call her enough although she also doesnt call me. Suffice to say there is some communication lacking between us and I think this has hurt her although she refuses to let me know. I mean cmon 15 years to mention this? It is in my mind ancient history, there are lots of things from when I was growing up I could be resentfull for but where does that get anyone? /sigh.
I ended up getting my mom back in the car and she just wanted to go to the airport. I dropped her off at about 11AM for her 3PM flight and then drive back up to Montreal in a better position then earlier but I think there is some wounds that need to be healed.
Whatever happens or is said I always love my mom. She sacrificed so much when my sister and I were growing up. I can never thank her enough.
Happy Birthday mom!! I hope our next meeting will go a lot better then the last one.
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